Short Hills, NJ demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
14,923
3.6% year-over-year change
Median household income
$250,001/yr
0.0% year-over-year change
Housing units
4,718
4.7% year-over-year change

Short Hills population

How many people live in Short Hills

Short Hills is home to 14,923 residents, according to the most recent Census data. Gender-wise, 49.5% of Short Hills locals are male, and 50.5% are female.

Total population
14,923
3.6% year-over-year change
Gender ratio
Male
49.5%
7,388
Female
50.5%
7,535
Value Percent YoY change
Male 7,388 49.5% 5.5%
Female 7,535 50.5% 1.9%
A higher population often means more rental variety and livelier areas. The gender balance—how many men live here compared to women—can reveal a lot about the community and the lifestyles of its residents. Use this info to get a sense of the area's pace and personality.

Age demographics

The median age in Short Hills is 42, with the population distributed as follows: about 25% are children under 15, then 13.7% are in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 18% of the population, while another 31.6% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket. Finally, around 11.7% are 65 or older.

Median age
41.5
Age breakdown
Under 15
25%
15 to 24
13.7%
25 to 44
18%
45 to 64
31.6%
Over 65
11.7%
Value Percent YoY change
Under 15 3,733 25% 2.5%
15 to 24 2,038 13.7% 5.9%
25 to 44 2,681 18% -0.8%
45 to 64 4,722 31.6% 10.6%
Over 65 1,749 11.7% -5.9%
The age composition helps you get insight into who lives in the area. A younger population might mean a more active, fast-paced vibe, while an older one could suggest a quieter, slower lifestyle. If there's a balanced makeup, you’re likely to find a variety of services, housing types, and community spaces that cater to different life stages.

Racial makeup

In Short Hills, 66.8% of the population are US-born citizens, while 17.8% have gained naturalized citizenship. At the same time, 15.3% of residents are non-citizens. As for race, 52% of locals are Caucasian, 1.4% are African American and 40.4% have Asian roots. There’s also a share of 5% that includes residents with two or more races.

Citizenship
U.S.-born citizens
66.8%
Non-U.S.-born citizens
17.8%
Non-citizens
15.3%
Value Percent YoY change
U.S.-born citizens 9,974 66.8% 2.1%
Non-U.S.-born citizens 2,662 17.8% 9.7%
Non-citizens 2,287 15.3% 4.0%
Racial breakdown
White
52%
Black or African American
1.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0%
Asian
40.4%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
0.2%
Two or more races
5%
Other
1%
Value Percent
White 7,758 52%
Black or African American 210 1.4%
Asian 6,024 40.4%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 31 0.2%
Two or more races 754 5%
Other 146 1%

Households in Short Hills

A peek inside Short Hills households

Short Hills has 4,665 households, with an average of 3 members in each. Of these, 90.4% are families, while the remaining 9.6% are made up of individuals living alone or with non-relatives, such as roommates.

Households stats

Total households
4,665
3.8% year-over-year change
Average people per household
3
Non-family households
449
Family households
4,216
Value Percent YoY change
Non-family households 449 9.6% 11.1%
Family households 4,216 90.4% 3.1%
The mix between family and non-family households gives a glimpse into daily life. A higher percentage of families might mean more parks and schools, while more non-family setups can mean flexible housing and diverse living styles. For renters, this can signal what kinds of homes are common and can help you figure out if the area matches your lifestyle.

Housing in Short Hills

The housing landscape of Short Hills

Short Hills's housing consists of 4,718 units, with 88.9% being detached single-family homes ideal for those wanting space. Attached options, including duplexes and townhouses, make up 1.3% and offer a more compact, shared living style. Then there are the multifamily buildings in the area, and for those seeking flexibility, non-traditional options like mobile homes account for 0.9% of the housing landscape.

Housing units
4,718
4.7% year-over-year change
Housing types
Value Percent
1 unit, detached 4,196 88.9%
1 unit, attached 63 1.3%
2 units 61 1.3%
3 or 4 units 25 0.5%
5 to 9 units 115 2.4%
10 to 19 units 15 0.3%
20 to 49 units 46 1%
50 or more units 153 3.2%
Mobile home 44 0.9%
Homes built since 2020
159
37.1% year-over-year change

The age of buildings in Short Hills

In Short Hills, the median construction year is 1958. About 24.5% of homes were built before the 1940s, with another 9.4% going up by 1949. Most development happened in the second half of the 20th century. Then, 5.5% of homes were added from 2000 to 2009, 4.6% between 2010 and 2019, and 3.4% are part of the newest wave of development.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent YoY change
Built in 1939 or earlier 1,154 24.5% 2.9%
Built between 1940 and 1949 442 9.4% -0.7%
Built between 1950 and 1959 1,013 21.5% 7.5%
Built between 1960 and 1969 970 20.6% 3.5%
Built between 1970 and 1979 327 6.9% 14.7%
Built between 1980 and 1989 91 1.9% 54.2%
Built between 1990 and 1999 85 1.8% 41.7%
Built between 2000 and 2009 259 5.5% -7.5%
Built between 2010 and 2019 218 4.6% -17.1%
Built in 2020 or later 159 3.4% 37.1%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Short Hills occupancy rates

Out of the 4,665 occupied housing units in Short Hills, 86.4% are owner-occupied, while 13.6% are lived in by tenants. Meanwhile, 1.1% of all homes on the local market sit vacant.

Occupied housing units
4,665
3.8% year-over-year change
Occupancy breakdown
Renter occupied
632
Owner occupied
4,033
Value Percent YoY
change
Renter occupied 632 13.6% 13.3%
Owner occupied 4,033 86.4% 2.4%
Unoccupied housing units
1.1%
Unoccupied housing units refer to homes that are currently without residents—whether they're waiting for renters or owners, used seasonally, or simply unclaimed. A higher share of empty homes may mean more housing availability, while a low number can reflect a tighter market with more competition. This, along with the renter-vs.-owner mix, helps paint a clearer picture of what types of housing and services are likely to be available in the area.

Short Hills housing costs

Housing costs in Short Hills come to a median of $4,001 per month, while tenants specifically pay a median gross rent of $3,126.

Median housing costs per month
$4,001/month
This figure sums up typical monthly housing costs for all households in the area. If you own, it includes mortgage payments in addition to property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. If you rent, it accounts for rent plus extras like utilities. It’s useful for seeing how local living expenses stack up compared to other places.
Median gross rent in Short Hills
$3,126/month
Gross rent gives a more complete look at what renters actually pay, including not just base rent, but also utilities and fees. It’s a key number for evaluating rental affordability in your area of interest and understanding how it compares to nearby locations.

Education in Short Hills

Short Hills education at a glance

About 6.1% of the population in Short Hills went to high school, while 3.4% pursued college studies. Another 2.7% earned an associate degree and 31.8% hold a bachelor’s. Meanwhile, 55.8% went even further, earning a master’s or doctorate.

Education level
Value Percent YoY change
No high school 5 0% N/A
High school diploma 620 6.1% -4.0%
College diploma 349 3.4% -29.2%
Associate degree 279 2.7% -7.6%
Bachelor's degree 3,237 31.8% 6.0%
Graduate degree 5,676 55.8% 7.2%
A community’s education mix can offer insights into the local economy and housing market. Higher levels of education often align with more job opportunities and stable incomes, which can increase demand for homes and influence both rent prices and rental availability.

Income in Short Hills

How much people earn in Short Hills

The average annual household income in Short Hills was $525,628 in 2024, the most recent annual data available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked a +2.5% change from the previous year.

Average household income in Short Hills
$525,628/year
2.5% year-over-year change
Median household income in Short Hills
$250,001/year
0.0% year-over-year change

Short Hills income by age

In Short Hills, households led by residents aged 25 to 44 — usually in the early to mid stages of their careers — have a median income of $250,001. Those with someone between 45 and 64 in charge, often well established professionally, earn $250,001 overall. Overall, 97.7% of the locals in this community live above the poverty line.

Income breakdown by age
Value YoY change
25 - 44 $250,001 0.0%
45 - 64 $250,001 0.0%
Over 65 $240,781 -3.7%
Above poverty level
14,457
Below poverty level
342
Value Percent YoY
change
Above poverty level 14,457 97.7% 5.0%
Below poverty level 342 2.3% -32.4%

Average renter income in Short Hills

To get a better sense of what renters earn on average in Short Hills, their median household income was $163,646 according to 2022 Census data. In addition, the rent-to-income ratio in the area, at 22.9%, shows what portion of their earnings goes toward housing expenses.

Renter median household income
$163,646
Rent-to-income ratio
22.9%
Understanding the rent-to-income ratio can help renters gauge if local housing costs align with their earnings. A ratio under 30% usually signals affordability, while exceeding this mark means rent is taking a larger-than-recommended bite out of income. That could make it harder for you to cover other costs like transportation, healthcare, or child care.

Employment in Short Hills

Workforce and job types in Short Hills

The job market in Short Hills is powered by 6,924 working residents, spread across a range of industries and roles. 96.1% of the working population are employed in professional or administrative positions, while 3.9% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. Also, 15.4% run their own businesses, 72.2% are employed by private companies, and 4.7% work in the public sector.

Workforce demographics

Working population
6,924
7.0% year-over-year change
White collar
6,655
Blue collar
269
Value Percent YoY change
White collar 6,655 96.1% 7.8%
Blue collar 269 3.9% -8.8%
Employer type
Self employees
15.4%
Private companies
72.2%
Governmental workers
4.7%
Not for profit companies
7.7%
Value Percent YoY change
Self employees 1,070 15.4% -1.6%
Private companies 4,997 72.2% 8.1%
Governmental workers 325 4.7% 13.2%
Not for profit companies 532 7.7% 12.0%
Unemployment rate
3.4%
-15.2% year-over-year change

Available workforce

The unemployment rate in Short Hills stands at 3.4%, representing the share of the workforce currently without a job and actively looking for one.

For renters, the unemployment rate helps paint a picture of job security and financial stability in the area. Rates around 4% to 5% are considered typical. A lower-than-average rate might suggest strong job prospects and a thriving local economy, while a higher rate could hint at fewer opportunities—both useful to consider when planning a move.

Transportation in Short Hills

How people get around in Short Hills

Commuting methods vary: 36% of residents travel by personal vehicle and 1.7% prefer to walk, while the remaining share relies on public transit or on two wheelers to get from A to B.

Means of transportation
Value Percent YoY change
Car 2,458 36% 3.7%
Bus or trolleybus 18 0.3% 125.0%
Subway or elevated 125 1.8% N/A
Railroad 1,249 18.3% -6.4%
Walk 114 1.7% 44.3%
Understanding how locals get to work can help you plan your own routine. High car usage might mean you’ll need a vehicle, while strong public transit or walkability could save you the hassle. Commute times also play a big role in quality of life—shorter trips can give you more time for the things you enjoy.

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FAQs about Short Hills demographics 

What is the total population of Short Hills?

Short Hills has a total population of 14,923 residents, according to the latest release from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This figure changed by +3.6% compared to a year ago.

What is the gender ratio in Short Hills?

The gender ratio in Short Hills is as follows:
  • 49.5% males (7,388 residents)
  • 50.5% females (7,535 residents)

What is the median age in Short Hills?

The median age in Short Hills is 41.5.

What is the age distribution of the population in Short Hills?

The age distribution in Short Hills is as follows:
  • Under 15: 25% (3,733 residents)
  • Ages 15-24: 13.7% (2,038 residents)
  • Ages 25-44: 18% (2,681 residents)
  • Ages 45-64: 31.6% (4,722 residents)
  • Over 65: 11.7% (1,749 residents)

What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Short Hills?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Short Hills is as follows:
  • White: 52% (7,758 residents)
  • Black or African American: 1.4% (210 residents)
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0% (0 residents)
  • Asian: 40.4% (6,024 residents)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (31 residents)
  • Two or More Races: 5% (754 residents)
  • Other: 1% (146 residents)

What percentage of the population in Short Hills are U.S.-born citizens?

U.S.-born citizens represent 66.8% of the population in Short Hills.

How many housing units are there in Short Hills?

There are 4,718 housing units in Short Hills, reflecting a +4.7% change compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many households are in Short Hills and what is the average household size?

Short Hills has a total of 4,665 households, with an average of 3 people in each.

What is the median household income in Short Hills?

Short Hills has a median household income of $250,001, representing a 0.0% shift from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the employment rate and job market overview for Short Hills?

The employment rate is 96.6% in Short Hills, with a workforce of 6,924 residents. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the local job market:

Job types:
  • White-collar workers: 96.1% (6,655 residents)
  • Blue-collar workers: 3.9% (269 residents)

Places of employment:
  • Self-employed: 15.4% (1,070 residents)
  • Private companies: 72.2% (4,997 residents)
  • Governmental workers: 4.7% (325 residents)
  • Not-for-profit companies: 7.7% (532 residents)

Data source & methodology

The demographic data on this page was sourced from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release—the 2019–2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

The information, issued annually, is compiled and published by the Point2Homes Research Team as soon as new data becomes available.

No representation, guarantee, or warranty is made concerning the accuracy or completeness of modified or aggregated information for particular areas.

Page last updated: September 2025